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Tuesday, August 19, 2025

City of Naperville Riverwalk Commission Met April 14

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City of Naperville Riverwalk Commission Met April 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

A. CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Kennedy called the Naperville Riverwalk Commission meeting to order at 7:31 a.m. Kennedy read a statement explaining that due to the shelter-in-place directive, the meeting was held via Zoom Video Conferencing App.

B. ROLL CALL:

Present: Valla Aguilar; Judy Brodhead; John Cuff; Jan Erickson; Jeff Friant; John Joseph; Pat Kennedy, Commission Chairman; Debra Lellbach; Josh McBroom; and Bill Novack

Absent: Pam Bartlett and Tom Stibbe

Also Present: Christian Canizal, NCTV; Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff; Brian Dusak, ERA; Monica Goshorn-Maroney, GRWA; Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman; Julie Landry, City Staff; Laura McSweeney, City Staff; Tiffani Picco, Naperville Park District; Marilyn Schweitzer, resident; and Jake Wolf, ERA

C. PUBLIC FORUM:

No one from the public wished to address the Commission.

D. OLD BUSINESS:

1. Moser Tower Rehabilitation - Bill Novack

Novack reported that the plans should be completed within the next two weeks and opening bids are expected on May 19, 2021, with City Council voting to award the construction contract in June.

Kennedy provided an update from the previous week’s Planning, Design & Construction Committee (PDC) meeting about discussions on the architectural component of the lower level of the tower. He advised that a smaller group would be meeting with the design team to evaluate alternatives and decide on the architectural element of the formliner.

Schweitzer expressed concern about the proposed changes, noting that any changes should benefit the area, both visually and functionally. She discussed the current openness of the base and suggested that the area remain open since it is an active space that is used for many different events. She stated that the redesign should take into consideration areas where signage and equipment for events may be placed. Other suggestions included not removing the handrail and not obscuring the area with fences or planters. She mentioned the downtown streetscape as being much more modern and having the planters replicated to match that standard.

Erickson suggested that the Riverwalk standard should be followed instead of the downtown streetscape. She also thanked Schweitzer for her comments.

Kennedy thanked Schweitzer for her feedback and explained the reasons for having a working session with a smaller group that will report back to the PDC Committee. He noted that the formliner is the product from a structural, waterproofing and engineering standpoint and bid specifications can be written in such a way to cover the elements that are being discussed with aesthetic items being addressed within an appropriate price range in the bidding process. Novack added that the project needs to go out to bid prior to the next PDC meeting due to minimum bid lengths.

He stated that the majority of the repair costs would involve structural repairs and an addendum can be added to the bid that states the bottom formliner pattern has not yet been selected. The goal is for construction to be completed in 2021 with no concrete work being done in inclement weather or dealing with the need to address cold weather protection of the concrete.

2. Riverwalk Master Plan - Pat Kennedy

Joseph reviewed the most recent updates to the Communications Team’s plan, explaining their five strategies which are 1) to create a communications toolkit; 2) increase residents’ and primary target audience understanding of the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan; 3) implement ongoing communications activities; 4) leverage geo-specific locations to increase

Master Plan awareness; and 5) to support the communications and presentations to large, prospective donors. The theme is “Creating a Path Forward”.

Joseph reviewed several items that need to be developed including an identity/logo to be used when addressing the Riverwalk Master Plan, updating the current Riverwalk website, creating a media list and a list of influencers to reach out to on a regular basis. He discussed the need to create new signage that includes QR codes and new signage to show where capital improvement projects are located. A presentation and one-page handout also needs to be developed.

The Communications Team’s next steps are to meet with City staff, the Park District and the Riverwalk Foundation to discuss resources for execution of the plan.

Erickson noted in addition to the City of Naperville Riverwalk web page, we also own the URL for NapervilleRiverwalk.com. It was noted that both pages need to be updated. Novack requested that suggested changes be given to him so he can work with the appropriate City staff to update.

Aguillar added that their goal is to use the same web pages, just update the current information.

Hitchcock expressed his appreciation to the Communications Team and Riverwalk Commission. He noted there were many examples around the country of larger scale master plan communication initiatives, specifically about riverfronts where funding is primarily through private sector contributions. Kennedy thanked Hitchcock for his input and assistance.

Schweitzer expressed her appreciation and offered her assistance.

Brodhead also thanked the Communications Team for their efforts.

3. Riverwalk "Welcome Back" for 2021 - Pam Bartlett

Bartlett was not in attendance for an update. Kennedy will ask Bartlett to follow up and this will be discussed at next month’s meeting.

E. NEW BUSINESS:

There was no new business to discuss.

F. REPORTS:

1. Approval of Minutes - Pat Kennedy

Approve minutes from the March 10, 2021 Riverwalk Commission meeting

A motion to approve the March 10, 2021 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Erickson, seconded by Friant. MOTION CARRIED

2. Finance - Bill Novack

Receive the final December 2020 and March 2021 Riverwalk financial reports

Novack reviewed both the Final December 2020 and the March 2021 finance reports that were included in the agenda packet.

3. Park District - Tom Stibbe

Receive the monthly Park District report

Picco reviewed the following highlights from the Park District report:

a. Field Report for March:

Maintenance is full-speed. Sled hill fence has been removed. Invasive plants and dead trees were removed from the north side of the Paddleboat Quarry and they will continue to monitor the area over the summer to remove additional invasives and add plants where needed.

b. Carillon Concerts

Carillon concerts began April 3rd and will continue through May.

c. Beach Clean-up

Beach clean-up is finishing up. Filling should happen in the next week after maintenance is completed.

d. Tulip Bulb Sale

The bulb sale tentatively scheduled for May 14th may be pushed back one week. The sale will be online.

Kennedy reminded the Commission of the Asset Management Plan Walk, scheduled for May 7th at 3:00 p.m.

4. Riverwalk Foundation - John Cuff

The Riverwalk Foundation will be holding their next meeting on May 11, 2021. Cuff expressed his appreciation to Joseph and team for the Communications plan and is looking forward to meeting with them.

6. Donor Recognition - Rebecca DeLarme

Twenty-two bricks and two benches were ordered for the spring 2021 installation. There are currently two brick orders for the fall 2021 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes April 14, 2021 installation.

6. Public Relations - Valla Aguilar

Receive the March Public Relations reports

Aguilar reported that the Naperville Riverwalk was mentioned in 29 articles, 75 social media posts and 0 broadcast during the month of March.

Highlights included Porter Moser Loyola Basketball Coach articles, Rally to Reopen Schools and Anti-Asian Racism Rally.

7. Planning, Design, and Construction - Jeff Friant

Receive the April 6, 2021 Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction Committee minutes

Friant reported that the major topics of last week’s PDC meeting included a presentation and review of the Communications plan, a detailed discussion with feedback from participants regarding the Moser Tower Rehabilitation, and the scheduling of the Asset Management Plan Walk for May 7th.

8. Chairman - Pat Kennedy

Kennedy acknowledged Councilwoman Brodhead’s last meeting with the Riverwalk Commission. The Commission and attendees expressed their appreciation for her commitment and dedication to the City of Naperville.

G. MEETING SCHEDULE:

Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, May 4, 2021, 7:30 a.m.

On Zoom Video Conferencing App

Riverwalk Commission Annual Asset Management Walk, May 7, 2021, 3:00 p.m.

Meet at Naperville Jaycees Park, north lawn of Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL, weather permitting

Riverwalk Commission, May 12, 2021, 7:30 a.m.

On Zoom Video Conferencing App

Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, June 1, 2021, 7:30 a.m.

On Zoom Video Conferencing App

Riverwalk Commission, June 9, 2021, 7:30 a.m.

City of Naperville Page 6 Printed on 5/12/2021

Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes April 14, 2021

Either Zoom Video or Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL

H. ADJOURNMENT:

A motion to adjourn was made by Lellbach and seconded by Friant. The meeting adjourned at 8:41 a.m. MOTION CARRIED

https://naperville.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=830267&GUID=A0A58714-8576-42C4-9C0A-E207346B4C69

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